Silver - White Hairs The Silvery colour of the leaves is actually due to the presence of fine white downy hairs. This lovely yellow wildflower belongs to the family Rosaceae. Latin Names The Latin name of Argentina (argent means "silver") came about because of its silver like appearance and the latter part of the Latin name Anserina - from Anser - a goose - probably so named as the geese liked the plant to eat.

Food for Animals and Birds
Cattle, horses, sheep and geese all eat the silverweed plants.

Roots - Eaten by Humans
The starchy rootstock has been eaten by humans for many eras. It tastes apparently - like parsnips, sweet potatoes and chestnuts. Until the introduction of the potato in the 1500s Silverweed was a crop plant whose turnip-like roots were part of peasants' staple diet. This has led to the folk-names "bread and butter", "bread and cheese" and "seventh bread".

Bread making
The dried roots were ground into a kind of flour and used in bread making

Many Herbal and Medicinal Uses
The leaves were used to soothe aching feet. Silverweed was made into a tea like infusion and used to cure menstrual cramps and indigestion and if honey is added it can be used as a gargle for the easing of sore throats. The silverweed has also been used to treat mouth ulcers, toothache, jaundice and stomach problems, piles, eye inflammation and many more medicinal uses.

Astringent
The whole plant is used to create an astringent.

Cosmetics
The silverweed plant has also been used in the creation of a cosmetic used to remove freckles and spots.